Support NeoGAF

[TheDanger]

So I was in the game section in a local store today browsing through (I do this from time to time even though I know all the games anyway for some reason), then this kid and his mum come to the Playstation games and the kid wants GTA V. Then she says it says 18 on the box bla bla, then the kid was going on about how it's just about driving and he had almost convinced her when she suddenly noticed me and asked if this game is alright for an 8 year old.

I didn't know what to do, I saw it in the kid's eyes how much he wanted it, but then I thought about GTA V and how perfectly it can be used as a "murder innocent helpless people simulator" so I told his Mum I'm sorry for the kid, but you can shoot innocent pedestrians and she immediately said no. The kid got teary eyes I felt really bad for it (8 year old me would have hated me with the passion of a thousand burning swords), but I think I did the right thing. Then again I played Vice City at that age too and I'm not a sociopath, granted it didn't look nowhere near as realistic, but I still killed thousands of pedestrians and cops.

What would you have done? If she didn't ask me I probably wouldn't have said anything.

 

[JMDSO]

It's not a game for an 8 year old.

You did the right thing IMO.

 

[shinobi602]

I probably would have done the same thing.

 

[TRI Mike]

I would have let him get the game. It's not like he won't see violence anyway on TV.

 

[Blablurn]

Maybe this kid has no friends at home.

Maybe all his online friends are playing GTA Online

Maybe he just wanted to have more contact with them

But then you came around

 

[NoblesseOblige]

Would have told her I didn't care, it ain't my kid.

Edit: Unless you're an employee at a game store or something. Then yeah, I would have told her what it was. Don't the games have advisory warnings for that stuff on the back anyway?

 

[galvenize]

You just explained to the mother what the game was about. Decision was still hers.

 

[Ric Flair]

You did the right thing, sucks for the kid though

 

[CoolZombie]

I bet he was gutted lol. I think I would probably have done the same thing though to be fair.

 

[Zaki2407]

I would do the same thing OP.

 

[Septic360]

Pathetic. Who are you, the parent?

 

[xxracerxx]

That sneaky little 8 year old, "all about driving". God damn.

Mom should look at the back of the box a little more though as well.

Good on you, OP.

 

[stufte]

Sucks for the kid, but I'd have done the same thing.

 

[Apharmd]

Did good OP.

 

[kewlmyc]

I would have told the truth as well.

 

[LowlySmokeGuy]

Well all you did was tell the truth, so nothing wrong with that.

 

[RoKKeR]

I'd do the same thing OP.

 

[Sephzilla]

I would have done the same thing you did, OP. Though I would have felt like a massive hypocrite because I played a lot of 18/older games when I was too young too.

 

[Gnome Scat]

I would've done the same thing.

 

[weevles]

I would've done the same thing, OP. That game is rated M for a reason.

 

[GulAtiCa]

You did the right thing.

 

[Regulus Tera]

It is not a game for his age group, but unless you worked for the store I see no reason why you should step up to inform the guardian of the contents of the game.


Edit: overlookrd the part where she asked you for advice. Sorry!

 

[Alienous]

I wouldn't mislead a parent who is trying to do a good parenting job regarding something they are personally uninformed about.

So I'd say you did the right thing.

 

[Septic360]

Pathetic. Who are you, the parent?

Spoiler

This post is incoming. Just you watch

 

[Maffis]

You did good OP. TBH, I feel that if it was a real punishable law I would enjoy online games more. So many shitty people and from my experience most are under age.

 

[x-Lundz-x]

It's not a game for an 8 year old.

You did the right thing IMO.

Yup, you did the right thing OP.

 

[Newtype-001]

Me rn: You did the right thing.

Me if i was the kid: Fuck you man.

 

[RiccochetJ]

Props to the mom for asking you. You did good OP.

 

[BadWolf]

You did good.

 

[stufte]

Pathetic. Who are you, the parent?

Found the 8yr old.

 

[V-Faction]

And that kid's name?

Darth Vader.

 

[moerser]

Pathetic. Who are you, the parent?

are you serious? he just explained the mother what the game was about. it was still her decision.

 

[oti]

You didn't lie.
You didn't decide whether the kid could play the game or not.
You did the right thing.

 

[JuanLatino]

Pathetic. Who are you, the parent?

ehmm no, but the parent asked him for advice


i fell for it, did i?

 

[OricWindstar]

You didn't lie or anything. You just gave her information. I would've down the same thing

 

[Isayas]

Wow, TC, and the rest that agree with him. You're a cockblocker.

 

[Mass_Pincup]

I played GTA SA when I was 9 and nothing weird happened to me, but better be safe then sorry. You did the right thing OP

 

[NoctisVsStar]

Honestly idk what I would've done.. I grew up with loaded and doom.. Those games were pretty graphic.

I still think cod is worse gta looks so cartoonish imo.

 

[platocplx]

I would have done the same thing. Its rated that for a reason. Kids need to have at least some of their innocence intact.

 

[BananasWithGuns]

I mean, it's not like you did anything underhanded. She asked you a question and you answered it honestly. In the end it was her decision regardless.

 

[Warxard]

Well the mom did ask you. Well done OP.

 

[Spukc]

i would have hated you so much

way to go and ruin this kids childhood.
i was watching aliens and it when i was 10 years old.

you should feel bad.

 

[cyberheater]

Maybe this kid has no friends at home.

Maybe all his online friends are playing GTA Online

Maybe he just wanted to have more contact with them

But then you came around

Fuck that noise. It's a 18 certificate game and not suitable for a young child.

Some people. SMH.

 

[Sifl]

Pathetic. Who are you, the parent?

Spoiler

This post is incoming. Just you watch

Pathetic. Who are you, the parent?

You beat yourself tho.

 

[CypherSignal]

What would you have done? If she didn't ask me I probably wouldn't have said anything.

Pointed out the ESRB rating and content descriptors: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol.

 

[harpingon]

right thing to do. I've done similar.

 

[spindashing]

I would have done the same thing. You did it right.

Pathetic. Who are you, the parent?

Pathetic. Who are you, the parent?

Spoiler

This post is incoming. Just you watch

uh

 

[Summer Haze]

I would've told her that the game is fine for him, and then me and the kid would've given each other a nod and thumbs up as he walked towards the cashier.

Bros before

Spoiler

moms

.

 

[Salsa]

Pathethic. Who are you, the parent?

 

[family_guy]

So I was in the game section in a local store today browsing through (I do this from time to time even though I know all the games anyway for some reason), then this kid and his mum come to the Playstation games and the kid wants GTA V. Then she says it says 18 on the box bla bla, then the kid was going on about how it's just about driving and he had almost convinced her when she suddenly noticed me and asked if this game is alright for an 8 year old.

I didn't know what to do, I saw it in the kid's eyes how much he wanted it, but then I thought about GTA V and how perfectly it can be used as a "murder innocent helpless people simulator" so I told his Mum I'm sorry for the kid, but you can shoot innocent pedestrians and she immediately said no. The kid got teary eyes I felt really bad for it (8 year old me would have hated me with the passion of a thousand burning swords), but I think I did the right thing. Then again I played Vice City at that age too and I'm not a sociopath, granted it didn't look nowhere near as realistic, but I still killed thousands of pedestrians and cops.

What would you have done? If she didn't ask me I probably wouldn't have said anything.

That's like asking if an R-rated movie is appropriate for an 8 year old.